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Who Dey Revolution Manifesto

Preamble

IN THIS TIME of perpetual Cincinnati Bengals incompetence and futility, with zero playoff wins in the nineteen seasons since the WhoDeyRevolution Godfather, Paul Brown, passed away in 1991 and handed the team to his fortunate son, the Despot, Mike Brown;

Introduction

WE, the members of the Who Dey Revolution, in our fervent dedication to the Cincinnati Bengals and fanatical desire to transform our hometown team into perpetual Super Bowl contenders, call for a popular revolution of fans to demand comprehensive reform to the managerial decisions and approach of Cincinnati Bengals ownership, management, staff and players, and hereby call for the adoption of the following Who Dey Revolution Manifesto:

Manifesto Demands

THAT the Mike Brown, Katie Blackburn, Marvin Lewis, along with every other member of the Bengals management, staff and personnel, state publicly to all Bengals fans, “I will do everything in my power to help the Cincinnati Bengals win a Super Bowl;”

THAT Mike Brown will hire a general manager, drastically expand the scouting department and relinquish all control of player personnel;

THAT all training, rehabilitation and medical facilities are considered best-in-class compared to other NFL teams;

THAT the management fill the team only with players who fit the system, both mentally and physically, and are not reluctant to makes changes to player personnel when needed, regardless of cost or loyalty concerns;

THAT offensive and defensive line depth is considered the top priority for all player personnel decisions;

THAT all decisions made by ownership, management, staff and players, both on and off the field, are judged only by this criterion: “Does this help the Cincinnati Bengals win a Super Bowl?”

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July 2012

July 25, 2012

In an interesting development to the Bengals Season Ticket Holder Pep Rally Saga...Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com revealed that season ticket holders attending tomorrow night's rally will now receive a $10 voucher for concessions.

Plain and simple, this was the right thing to do. Rational thought has finally prevailed on the corner of 2nd and Elm.

July 17, 2012

PFT recently posted a story about former Bengals CB Jonathan Joseph addressing the differences found between the Bengals and Houston Texans during an interview with HeraldOnline.com.

What I find interesting is that even though the question was centered around the Houston organization - Jospeh immediately opened with the night and day differences between franchises:

Q: What kind of organization is Houston?

The first thing about Houston is it’s an organization run from a different perspective. In Cincy, the team lives off money it earns from football. Houston’s owner has other business interests and he controls the money. Numerous things that go on such as the way Houston interacts with my family; we’re treated in a first-class way. They helped us when my wife lost our baby daughter in a miscarriage. But they help with anything you ask of them because they are a very caring organization with positive attitudes about its players. In Cincy, we’re told how much Gatorade we could take home. In Houston we get what we request. You get soap and deodorant at your request. You don’t have a roommate on road trips.

July 10, 2012

As posted yesterday on Cincinnati.com, the Bengals responded to the WDR post around charging Season Ticket Holder's to attend the team pep rally on July 26th. Part of the comments from the team included explanation for the $10 charge - which apparently helps defray the costs of a local band, fireworks, security and other expenses. A focus group also thought the fee was reasonable.

Mike Florio at PFT also posted his thoughts, asking "whether there’s a way to do this without soaking $10 out of everyone who attends".

After reviewing some of the comments both at Cincinnati.com and on our site - we thought some clarification was needed:

Some fans are fired up that we are questioning the $10 cost. It's not about the $10...but about what the $10 represents. No matter how you feel about paying $5 or $10 or $20 a ticket, in our view it's the principle that they are charging anything at all to season ticket holders.

Again - this is not an event open to the general public. This is an event for season ticket holders only, who have already paid at least $400 per seat for the entire season (not including the eventual COA they will have to purchase, at minimum $300 per seat).

From our perspective - the Bengals should have approached this one of two ways:

1) All or part of the proceeds benefiting the Marvin Lewis Community Fund, the Anthony Munoz Foundation, Freestore Foodbank, or another deserving local charity.

2) Charging the general public to attend, but offering free tickets as an added benefit for season ticket holders.

Honestly, it comes down to a difference in philosophy...a philosophy about how a sports team should want to connect with the community where it resides. A community that overwhelmingly approved a publicly-funded stadium.

This cost that is 'north of six-figures' should be considered an investment in regaining/strengthening an emotional connection with fans. Compared to the Steelers in Pittsburgh or even the Reds...the Bengals are not woven into the fabric of this community. I argue they could be - quite easily - if the organization had a better vision on how to treat their most loyal stakeholders. I think most can agree that there is room for improvement in this department.

Cincinnati is a town where people might leave for one reason or another, but many return home. People who live here are generally from here. My point is that we are loyal to this city, it's not full of transplants like Atlanta or Washington DC. Cincinnati is also football crazy and would be absolutely rabid over the Bengals (I'm talking to Steeler/Packer levels) if the team had some on-field success to make us proud...and an organization that invested in making lasting connections with its fans. I truly believe that. Fans have a lack of trust with the Bengals, and the organization has earned that distinction over the past two decades.

That being said, are the Bengals trying more fan-friendly events this off-season? Absolutely and their efforts have certainly been a small step in the right direction. But putting on an event like this and charging your season ticket holders (because you want to defray costs) sends the wrong message. It's missing the forest for the trees. Obviously this isn't about this one single event - but it has been a consistent track record spanning 20 years of not showing appreciation to a fan base that has fiercely supported this organization.

Isn't $100,000 a smart, strategic investment that will express to season ticket holders that we truly value your support? Whether it's a lifetime fan who has had season tickets since Nippert Stadium, or someone who came on board this year once prices dropped to $40 per game, the Bengals need to start recognizing and celebrating that commitment.

Fans can see the $10 as a minimal cost and this argument in general as a gross overreaction. Heck, season ticket holders not interested can simply ignore the offer and move on. They are definitely entitled to that opinion, and I can understand that belief.

From our point of view, however, this all comes back to a larger issue. The issue that the Bengals just continue to think about their chief consumer differently than most sports teams. This was yet another prime example.

July 09, 2012

A disgruntled season ticket holder sent WDR an email this morning - and it shows even when the Bengals try to reward their most loyal stakeholders, they still can't resist squeezing out a few bucks.

This particular STH said he was so offended that he is calling today to dump his seats and demand his money back.

The following note was sent over from the Bengals inviting STH's only to a pep rally on Thursday, July 26th. The only problem? They are CHARGING season ticket holders $10 per ticket to attend.

With training camp coming to Cincinnati for the first time, the Bengals are hosting a special event and inviting all of our season ticket holders for what promises to be a fun evening.

On Thursday, July 26, the Bengals will kick off training camp with a pep rally with the entire Bengals team, followed by a concert and fireworks show.

Paul Brown Stadium gates will open at 6 p.m., and alumni players will be on hand for autographs. The Pep Rally will begin at 7 p.m. and feature comments from Head Coach Marvin Lewis and players, along with player introductions.

After the players depart for their first meeting of training camp, beginning at around 8 p.m., the local band DV8 will perform rock and pop hits for 90 minutes. The event will conclude with a fireworks show beginning at around 9:45 p.m.

Due to the Macy’s Music Festival beginning on Friday the 27th, the stadium will be set up in concert mode with a stage on the field facing the east sideline. General admission seating will be available for this event on the field, as well as on the sideline levels. Season ticket holders can purchase an unlimited number of tickets to the Pep Rally.

Tickets for this Pep Rally & Concert are $10.

The entire stadium is not available due to the concert set up, so capacity is limited and tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is our hope that we fill up our capacity by getting a good response from season ticket holders who are excited by this fun, first-time event.

Tickets will be mailed to you after purchase. Parking in the Mehring Way Lots (Lots D, E & F) will be available at a cost of $5 per vehicle. ARAMARK will have concessions available at reduced prices.

We look forward to a great training camp followed by a winning season. We appreciate your support, and hope to see you at the Pep Rally & Concert.

So what's included? No food, no drinks...just comments from the team, a local band and a 'fireworks show'. They are even charging for parking.

And limited tickets? Really? This is a 65,000 seat stadium...even with a concert set-up...there will be tens of thousands tickets available.

The Bengals promised all sorts of season ticket holder benefits this off-season. They failed to mention that they would be CHARGING for these 'one of a kind' benefits.

Here's an idea - take a cue from the Reds. For Redsfest, the Reds charge the general public (and give you a ticket to Opening Night)...but they include Redsfest tickets as part of Season Ticket Holder packages. And let's be clear - this 'pep rally' is no where near the magnitude of Redsfest.

Yet another public relations bungle from a franchise who can't seem to do anything right - even to their blindingly loyal season ticket base.